cannot delete unwanted shortcut icon

myrnastan · 17-01-2009, 00:13

I have uninstalled the programme but cannot delete the shortcut.
It wont drop into the recycle bin.

17-01-2009, 00:15

have you rebooted the pc since?

Octal · 17-01-2009, 00:23

If it's still there after rebooting, then try deleting it in safe mode.

Mick Fisher · 17-01-2009, 04:46

I had this the other day when I updated Alcohol. Strange..It's never happened before.

Anyhoo this little app did the trick for me.

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

it's the best unlocker I've found.

myrnastan · 17-01-2009, 13:21

Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm still a novice and a "silver surfer" but, no matter how I click on this shortcut, left or right, single or double, nothing opens up, so I have nothing to work on All I can get from a right click is a small option saying "create shortcut" only. I even tried that to see what would happen. It created an icon and I was able to delete THAT one. This is not a problem. just a pain in the a***.

BenMcr · 17-01-2009, 13:26

It sounds like it is a 'Special' Icon, like the ones for My Computer/Recyle Bin etc

Which program did you uninstall?

---------- Post added at 12:26 ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 ----------

And where is the Icon?

myrnastan · 18-01-2009, 06:13

With great difficulty I uninstalled PC Confidential.
Icon is on my desktop

BenMcr · 18-01-2009, 12:51

If you are on XP, try downloading TweakUI. There is a option in it to hide Desktop items that may work.

If the icon is what I think it is, the only way to get rid of it completely is to remove the registry entry (which I don't recommend unless you know what you are doing)

myrnastan · 18-01-2009, 13:34

Hi BenMcr
I'm on Vista, and am definately not aufaux enough to meddle with the registry.
Thanks

BenMcr · 18-01-2009, 13:40

Check C:\Users\Public\Desktop (just type it into the search box on the start menu) and make sure the Icon is not in there

myrnastan · 19-01-2009, 00:09

I found the icon where you suggested but when I Rclick to try and get the delete option
all I get is a small option box that says "create shortcut"

BenMcr · 19-01-2009, 00:23

Try opening the folder as Administrator

(Run explorer as administrator and the go to the folder)

idi banashapan · 19-01-2009, 00:41

have you tried reinstalling the app and then uninstalling again?

have you tried running the desktop cleanup or disk cleanup?

Vista also uses an indexing system for faster retrieval of your machines items. It might be that the shortcut is caught in the index. Try stopping the indexing service (named Windows Search in the services list) and then delete the icon (if the icon is still there). you can also find it in Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Feature On or Off.

You can also go to the Search option under the start menu and type 'indexed locations'. this should give you a location under your user profile that stores the indexed items. see if the shortcut exists in there and try removing it.

HTH

myrnastan · 21-01-2009, 00:24

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately none worked. I finally solved my problem by
hiding the bloody shortcut under the sidebar.

idi banashapan · 21-01-2009, 00:26

lol!!!

we're not done yet...

try this

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.

Start Task Manager.

Click Processes, choose explorer.exe, click End Process.

Click File, New Task (Run...), type cmd and press Enter.

Type cd C:\Users\%Username%\Desktop.

Type del Filename.ext

After you delete all the icons press File, New Task (Run...) again, type explorer.exe and press Enter.